Green Turd Truck

Hello, I have a 1972 Cutlass with the 350/TH350 engine and tranny, and I want to swap over to a manual transmission. I can get the whole Tremec TKO 500 kit for a good price from a local seller, and it even comes with a hydraulic clutch kit and BOP bolt pattern scattersheild. I know that the crankshaft has to have a hole drilled in it for the pilot bearing though, and my engine was rebuilt right before I bought it, so my question is this; is there a way for a good machine shop to ACCURATELY drill the hole in the crank while it is still in the block? Also, does the engine have to be apart to install the pilot bearing? I am just learning how to do major mechanical work so I only know what I have read and heard, and plan to let a good mechanic do the parts of the labor that require expertise. I can take the engine out of the car myself but I really don't want to have to tear apart a freshly broken- in rebuild or have to buy a new motor in order to get a 5 speed in my car. Any input would be greatly appreciated, especially if there is something I am missing. Thanks!

mrgm

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=304460
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...t-bearing.html
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...-question.html

depends on how you want to do it

Green Turd Truck

Whatever I do I want it to LAST. If I really have to take the motor apart I will, but I'm just wanting to drill it out if it will work properly. I'm just wondering if there's a way it can be done while still in the block, and if this will allow me to use stock replacement parts (like bearings and retainers) later.

joe_padavano

No. The bore for the bearing must be concentric with the centerline of the crank. The bare crank must be put in the machine used to bore the hole.